Sports
Customs CG Bags Abuja All Stars Veteran International Award for Excellence in Leadership
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi was honored on Saturday with the prestigious Abuja All Stars Veteran International Award for Excellence in Leadership, recognizing his outstanding leadership and unwavering support for the development of sports in Nigeria.
In acknowledgment of his contributions, the CGC was described as having “written his name on the sands of time” for his remarkable efforts in promoting grassroots sports and supporting veteran football initiatives across the country.
The award was received on his behalf by Samuel Onikeku, the Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), during the grand finale of the 2025 Abuja All Stars Veteran Football Tournament.
Presenting the award, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, praised the CGC not only for his progressive leadership within the service but also for his vital role in advancing sports development nationwide.
The tournament, which spanned several months, featured 22 veteran football clubs drawn from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The grand finale lived up to its billing, delivering a thrilling contest that saw debutant team New Karu All Stars stun the seasoned Karu Veterans to emerge as champions of the 2025 edition.
The event celebrated not just sporting excellence but also the spirit of camaraderie and community building among former footballers and sports enthusiasts.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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